First Record Of Lartetictis (Carnivora, Mustelidae, Lutrinae) In Turkey From The Middle Miocene Hominoid Locality Of Pasalar

The present paper addresses the study of new fossils of the extinct lutrine Lartetictis Ginsburg & Morales, 1996 from the early middle Miocene of Goriach (Austria, late MN5-early MN6) and from the hominoid locality of Pasalar (Turkey, late MN5). The mandibular material of Lartetictis from Goriach is described and assigned to the type species, Lartetictis dubia. The mandibular and dental specimens from Pasalar proceed from the digging seasons 1983-2018, and constitute one of the larger samples of Lartetictis, enabling us to erect the species Lartetictis pasalarensis sp. nov. Its large size and features that are more derived than those of the Central European L. dubia characterises this new Turkish species. Among other features, L. pasalarensis shows a relatively low and broader P4 protocone, a larger distolingual expansion of the M1 lingual platform, higher cuspids of the m1 and a more trenchant m1 talonid. This new taxon represents the first datum of Lartetictis in Turkey as well as the easternmost record of the genus. Careful comparison between Lartetictis and other extinct otters from the middle Miocene, including Paralutra in Europe, Siamogale in Asia and Mionictis in North America, suggests a closer relationship with the latter group.